Clothes for travelling on Gap Year

[Isthatmybear]

My DSD has a packed gap year coming up and really needs to sort all the clothes now as once A-levels kick in she doesn't stop for over a year!!
In the summer she's doing 6 weeks in Europe with friends, this one is more cities less beaches.
Then off to SE Asia and Australia until Christmas, very much beachy.
Then to Costa Rica for 4 months volunteering
Then wrapping it up with 3 months in central and South America!

Obviously she will be home in between Europe and SE Asia and at Christmas before Costa Rica. Then her dad is planning to go out and see her in Costa Rica before she goes backpacking again and will take a lot of her stuff home with him.
We aren't funding this her mums side of the family are.
She has savings and wants to get new cloths for going. Think the very "Gap Yah" style. Floral skirts, crochet tops and linen trousers!!
Obviously she will take some leggings/shorts work out type clothes for hikes but wants to look cute.

She's planning on getting a 70l backpack when seems absolutely absurd but she feels anything less won't be enough? She's considering getting a second smaller one for the Europe trip though.

So far she's looked at Hollister and Superdry and found a couple of bits.

Does anyone have any ideas where she can find this style of clothes? Not crazy expensive ideally but not SHEIN or Primark.

TIA

Packing cubes are essential!

It’s also a case of not looking like an un-travelled traveller. Turning up anywhere massive gap year like rucksack can often mean you end up getting treated like a fool. More likely to get robbed, scammed or given unfair prices.

Turn up in Europe with a normal small or Medium size suitcase and normal rucksack, and nobody will know if you live local, are travelling for business etc, especially in cities.

Smaller luggage is also easier if they want to leave luggage at train station lockers. They will have trains arriving in cities potentially hours before they can check into accommodation, so this saves carrying around main luggage all day. Some hostels also have lockers you can rent after or before check out/ in, again, needs to fit.

My experience is that they all ditch their clothes and buy stuff en route.

I think a 70l rucksack is too much, but that's what my dd took. But I'd advise on a 40l one. I'd go for 2 pairs of shoes - one trainer/hiking boot hybrid and a pair of sandals. A light - super quick drying towel too is helpful. A good water bottle.

I wasn't really involved in my dd's packing I'm afraid - I agree that they generally do this themselves. I think it's a good idea to take a cheaper mobile phone - my next dd is going in September and isn't going to take her Iphone 15 or whatever she has.

Some kind of bum bag maybe? Or perhaps that isn't cool anymore?!

I was in central america last summer and stayed in some backpackers' hostels. There is very much a style that they all adopt - I suspect they do it once they see the other "travellers".

I think a day bag is also a good idea (which could be used for overnight hikes). Lots of them seem to have a day bag on their front and a big pack on their backs - I think that's too much. You just don't need all of that stuff.

Osprey do the best backpacks imo. But lots of guidance on backpacking sites on this.

Some kind of bum bag maybe? Or perhaps that isn't cool anymore?!

I believe bumbags are 'briefly' cool. Worn cross body? I'm old. I have a little crossbody that is just over phone-sized and it's brilliant. Money, phone, gum, tissues/toilet paper, whatever. Difficult to steal, easy to carry. And you put it inside your clothes for dodgy places.

Definitely darker colours or patterns.
I found that the hardest things to buy when actually out there were decent "basics" so a couple of good quality black or dark vest tops and leggings. All of the "cute" stuff is easy to pick up in markets etc.
she'll need a decent lightweight fleece and a waterproof jacket too.
Urban outfitters has everything.

Oh and I agree. 70l is far too big.

For Europe something with wheels is ideal and for Asia try and stick to about 50l max so you can keep it with you. Seeing your backpack slung on top of a bus or under a coach is terrifying.
The type with a zip on day pack is great. Osprey do a reasonable sized one.

Same height and build as your DD and I used to use a Macpac 50L. It was a bit too big but I used to carry quite a bit of the kids stuff. When they got bigger I moved over to a 40L.
https://www.outdooraction.co.uk/macpac-pursuit-40-v3-backpack-p6149
They are a bit of a pain to access but reasonably indestructible.

Being tall she will find it much easier to find a pack that really fits.

Honestly 70l is way too big if she's not camping. I made that mistake years ago. 50l max with maybe a small day pack. 4 or 5 days worth of clothes at most, buy stuff that's quick drying, lots of brands make nice dresses/skirts and things in technical fabrics which you can wash and dry overnight - Patagonia are quite spendy but ymmv.

Two pairs of shoes - hiking boots or trainers and a pair of smartish sandals. She needs to be VERY selective with toiletries/skincare/makeup as they weigh a lot.

Two essential items of clothing are:
A long sleeve, tight weave shirt with a collar, even the sensible DC will get over exposed to the sun at some point.

A below the knee skirt, that can cope with being screwed up into a ball.

Dress/skirt
https://www.freepeople.com/uk/shop/the-convertible-skirt2/?color=038&quantity=1&type=REGULAR

As everyone has said, 70litres is insane. Remember, she will need to actually carry it, and sometimes for very long periods of time. I went backpacking for 2 years with a 40-litre bag and a small 15l daypack. Day pack is essential.

She will need good footwear - something like Tevas - and a pair of flipflops for beach and lounging around/showers. Depending on what activities she'll do, hiking shoes too, or at least trainers. Costa Rica is jungle, and there'll be creepy crawlies, mud etc so closed shoes with decent ankle support is important.

One long pair of trousers for cold evening/mozzies, something light-weight. Stuff that dries fast.
She'll learn after the cute outfits won't cut it in the jungle/desert/12-hour chicken bus rides!

And yes a below knee skirt is handy. In many areas that’s are religious ie Italian church’s, temples in Asia etc They need something more conservative. Can be worn at beach’s with bikini, with t skirt casual, or lightweight shirt if arms covered

Don't need a long skirt which is impractical in most other settings. A sarong is great as it does several jobs, and you can pick one up cheaply on your travels. Most tourist temples in Asia are used to backpackers in skimpy clothes and will actually loan sarongs and cover-ups anyway. Long, loose trousers are a better bet as easier to get on and off transport etc than a long skirt.